Description:

Company:
At Brightline, we believe in creating meaningful connections through exceptional experiences. We operate at the intersection of hospitality and transportation and we're creating a brighter way to get there by making travel more convenient, more sustainable, and more hospitable every day.

Brightline owns and operates an express passenger rail system connecting major population centers in Florida, with plans to expand operations further in Florida. We are the first new major private passenger intercity railroad in the United States in over a century, and we believe our business represents a scalable model for twenty-first-century passenger travel in North America.

Brightline currently operates between Miami and Orlando - one of the most heavily traveled and congested regions in the U.S. - and we have additional stations planned in development along the way.

We can operate up to 32 trains daily that are capable of speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, and we own stations located in the heart of downtown cities and major transit hubs in Florida. Our passenger rail system offers a travel option that is faster, safer, more eco-friendly, more reliable, less expensive, more productive, and more enjoyable than travel by car or air.

Brightline provides a unique and enriching opportunity to be a part of a new transportation alternative that is keenly focused on hospitality and guest service.

If you're optimistic, forward-thinking, and interested in shaping the future of travel with us, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Purpose:
Reporting to Brightline's General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer, the Assistant General Counsel will serve as a member of a team of in-house legal advisors to the operating, technology and development departments, including representing Brightline in connection with all new and existing construction, maintenance, joint facility agreements, and technology related agreements and providing day to day legal advice to these departments.

Your Role:

Contract Negotiation & Management:

Support multiple client groups, specifically the Operations, Development Construction, and Technology functions.
Draft, negotiate and manage complex construction, maintenance and joint facility agreements in support of Brightline's operations and the expansion and maintenance of Brightline facilities. Brightline shares its rail corridor with Florida East Coast Railway and the SFRTA. You will be responsible for drafting and negotiating joint facilities agreements, construction and maintenance agreements, and amendments to existing agreements Support the Operating Department with the negotiation of schedules, maintenance activities, and capital planning.
Draft, negotiate and manage IT and software‑related agreements, including SaaS, cloud computing, software licensing, hardware procurement, managed services, and technology consulting contracts. Ensure technology agreements address intellectual property rights, service levels, data security, confidentiality, and compliance requirements.

Compliance with Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Laws: Advise on compliance with applicable data privacy and cybersecurity laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and export control requirements. Develop and maintain contract templates, playbooks, and negotiation guidelines for technology transactions.
Contract Counseling and Enforcement: Provide contract interpretation and advice to our business teams in administering and enforcing construction, maintenance, joint facilities and technology agreements. Interface with senior management of all departments and other railroads to ensure agreement compliance, internally and externally, and provide agreement interpretation. Manage contract enforcement actions as needed.
Partnership & Collaboration: Act as the primary legal advisor for the development, operations and IT teams in interpreting and enforcing agreements and assist to align contract terms with operational needs and strategic goals. As part of the Brightline in-house legal team, support internal projects, trainings, and processes, and partner with procurement, finance, and business partner teams to drive cross-functional efforts.
Monitor and review all Brightline communication channels, including our company intranet, bConnected, during work hours to ensure all company and department communications and notifications are promptly reviewed.

Please note that this Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the teammate for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Experience & Qualifications:
Required Education and Experience:

7-10 years' of commercial legal experience, with a strong preference for construction and/or rail experience.
Bar admission (Florida preferred).
Bachelor's degree and J.D. required.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

Possess a strong understanding of contracts, contract management, negotiation and a keen eye for details.
Knowledge of FRA regulatory requirements a plus.
Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplined management team.
Excellent analytical capabilities as well as written and oral presentation and communication skills.
Business focused – a commercial lawyer who aims to understand the business and possesses an understanding of how legal terms translate to business impact to support overall company initiatives and goals.
Impeccable integrity and a strong personal work ethic
The ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple assignments and tasks across multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment.